Premiere of one of the world’s most renowned light art festivals

For the first time, the Festival of Lights took place in Munich as part of IAA MOBILITY. During the event week, iconic buildings—including the Bavarian State Library, the Residenz, and the Old Town Hall—were illuminated each evening between 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. with impressive light art installations.

The Family Trail sponsored by Volkswagen, one of the most popular highlights at IAA Open Space 2025, transformed the entire site into an exciting adventure for the whole family.

The interactive scavenger hunt guided children and their companions throughout the entire IAA Open Space, making mobility fun and engaging to experience. At twelve varied stations at exhibitors’ booths, young participants could explore, solve puzzles, and take part in hands-on activities. Each station offered new insights, from creative interactive experiences to innovative mobility solutions they could discover up close.

With more than 40,000 participating children, the Family Trail became a true crowd-puller and impressively demonstrated how enthusiasm for future-focused topics can be sparked even among the youngest visitors. As a special highlight, an exclusive medal awaited at the end—a well-earned reward for curiosity, a spirit of discovery, and plenty of fun.

The Siegestor Stage was one of the central highlights of IAA Open Space 2025—a place for anyone who wanted to experience mobility in a unique way.

Located around the Siegestor, the main stage served as a central meeting point, skillfully combining top-tier entertainment with meaningful social dialogue, making it a vibrant attraction for a diverse audience.

The program was intentionally diverse, bringing together different formats into one cohesive experience. From live concerts with a festival vibe to interactive workshops and expert panels, it offered a dynamic mix of entertainment and information. This blend made future-focused topics accessible to a broad audience while opening up entirely new perspectives through direct exchange. Well-known guests such as Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Abt, and Tobi Krell (aka “Checker Tobi”) also shared personal insights, engaging stories, and inspiring ideas in interviews on the Siegestor Stage—creating moments that were both inspiring and relatable.

A special cultural highlight was the band contest in cooperation with Radio Gong 96.3, which gave local up-and-coming talent a major platform and strengthened ties to Munich’s music scene. The contest winners earned the opportunity to perform live on the main stage, creating true festival moments.

This community-focused forum addressed many of the key topics currently shaping discussions around the mobility of the future. Program highlights included a daily children’s program and inclusive walks.